Method and system for accessing and viewing images of a vehicle interior

• US 7,064,657 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2004
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Becker, Craig Henry, Hsu, Peter Y., Hsu, Jimmy Ming-Der
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/753,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20050151628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 340/937, 340/517, 340/521, 340/541, 340/426.1, 340/506, 340/426.4, 340/426.2, 340/426.28, 340/825.36, 348/148, 348/143, 348152-154
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera

Abstract

An alarm system and method by which a user can be alerted to a detected condition regarding their vehicle, can view what is happening in and around the vehicle, and can remotely turn off or reset the alarm if it is determined that an alarm is false. This is provided using one or more cameras and a cellular telephone to which the pictures can be sent.

Claims

1. A method for controlling vehicle systems comprising the steps of:

responsive to an alarm coupled to a vehicle, sending a first signal to a remote user device;

after sending the first signal to the remote user device, and responsive to a first input received from the remote user device, remotely activating a camera situated inside the vehicle so that a current image of the vehicle interior is sent to the remote user device; and

responsive to a second input by the remote user device, deactivating the alarm, wherein signals between the remote user device and the vehicle are sent via a cellular network.

2. A method for controlling vehicle systems comprising the steps of:

responsive to an alarm coupled to a vehicle, sending a first signal to a remote user device;

after sending the first signal to the remote user device, and responsive to a first input received from the remote user device, remotely activating a camera situated inside the vehicle so that a current image of the vehicle interior is sent to the remote user device;

responsive to a second input by the remote user device, deactivating the alarm; and

responsive to no input being received from the remote user device within a given amount of time from said signal being sent, sending a second signal to a proxy remote device which is remote from the vehicle.

3. A vehicular control system comprising:

a processor, an alarm, and a sensor, affixed to a vehicle and coupled to each other such that detection of a given condition by said sensor causes said alarm to sound;

a camera attached to said vehicle, said camera being attached to said processor;

a memory for staring a plurality of cellular telephone numbers and a set of conditions under which each of said plurality of cellular telephone numbers is to be contacted; and

cellular telephone circuitry coupled to said processor;

wherein said camera and said alarm can be remotely controlled through said cellular telephone circuitry.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the vehicle can be disabled via said cellular telephone circuitry.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein a user interacts with said vehicular control system via a cellular telephone.

6. A method for controlling a vehicle system comprising the steps of:

responsive to a first condition detected by a first sensor in a vehicle, making a first connection to a first cellular phone, sending a first signal to said first cellular phone, and providing control of a camera located in said vehicle to a first user of said first cellular phone;

responsive to a second condition, making a second connection to a second cellular phone, sending a second signal to said second cellular phone and providing control of said camera located in said vehicle to a second user of said second cellular phone; and

sending a current image of at least a portion of the vehicle to the second cellular phone.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first condition and the second condition are maintained in a memory contained within the vehicle system.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein one of said sensors detects an open door.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein one of said sensors detects airbag deployment.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein one of said sensors detects alcohol or drugs in the interior of said vehicle.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said first cellular phone and said second cellular phone have different phone numbers.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:

responsive to receiving a phone call in which a predetermined password is presented, providing control of said camera during the duration of said phone call to a person making said phone call.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:

responsive to receiving a phone call in which a predetermined password is presented, prompting a person making said phone call to change a phone number assigned to said first cellular phone and to said second cellular phone.

14. A vehicular control system comprising:

a processor attached to a vehicle;

first and second sensors, affixed to said vehicle and coupled to said processor;

a camera attached to said vehicle, said camera being connected to said processor;

a cellular telephone connection connected to said processor;

first instructions, executable by said processor, for calling a first telephone number when said first sensor detects a first specific condition; and

second instructions, executable by said processor, for calling a second telephone number when said second sensor detects a second specific condition;

wherein the a person answering said first telephone number or said second telephone number can remotely control said camera through said cellular telephone connection to take an image of at least a portion of the vehicle and to send the image using said cellular telephone connection to the person answering said first telephone number or said second telephone number.

15. The vehicular control system of claim 14, wherein the first condition, the second condition, the first telephone number and the second telephone number are maintained in a memory connected to the processor.

16. The vehicular control system of claim 15, further comprising fourth instructions, executed by said processor after receiving a phone call in which a password is presented, for modifying said first phone number, and said second phone number in the memory.

17. The vehicular control system of claim 14, wherein one of said first and said second sensors detects motion of said vehicle.

18. The vehicular control system of claim 14, wherein one of said first and said second sensors detects an airbag deploying.

19. The vehicular control system of claim 14, further comprising third instructions, executed when a user does not respond to said call to said first phone number, for calling a third phone number.